JOSE MOURINHO is lined up to take over as Tottenham Hotspur manager
next summer.

The "Special One" has been earmarked as the long-term
replacement for Martin Jol - whose future has been the subject of
constant speculation following Tottenham's poor start to the season
which has brought just one League win.

Tottenham's hierarchy made their intentions clear with a
failed bid to land Seville's Juande Ramos.

And Mourinho is now their top target after his shock departure from
Chelsea.

Spurs chairman Daviel Levy has confirmed there is "an element
of truth" to the suggestions his club are seeking to replace Jol.
And Spurs are confident they can persuade Mourinho to return to the
Premier League next summer.

Under the terms of his pounds 10million severance package from
Chelsea, Mourinho cannot work for another Premier League team this
season.

Mourinho has already said he will take a sabbatical from football
and has declared there will be no more interviews until he is ready to
come back to the game.

Tottenham appear ready to wait. They want their next manager to
have a proven track record and there is no doubt that Mourinho can boast
an impressive CV. After winning the Portuguese League, UEFA Cup and
Champions League with Porto, he took over Chelsea and in three years won
six trophies - including successive Premier League titles.

He will demand no interference from boardroom level - a factor that
hastened the end of his Chelsea career because of club owner Roman
Abramovich's demands for stylish football.

But Mourinho's conditions will be met as Tottenham continue
their quest to break into the elite. They have ambitious plans for a new
pounds 250m, 60,000-capacity stadium close to White Hart Lane and they
want a manager with ambitions to match their own.